The small Northeast Pennsylvania city that enacted an ordinance prohibiting businesses or landlords from doing business with illegal immigrants will have another day in court October 31, Mayor Barletta announced Monday.

The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals will hear the city’s argument, which will be argued by America’s most omnipresent immigration lawyer, Kris Kobach. The ordinance was blocked in 2006 and struck down by a Federal District Court in 2007, before it could ever be enforced. Kobach and Barletta (who is now running for Congress) say they are hopeful that more recent cases will help the three-judge panel see things their way. A Federal judge upheld a similar ordinance in Valley Park, Mo. in February, although last month another judge struck down the immigration ordinance in Farmers Branch, Tex.

Barletta told News 21 in June that he was prepared to take Hazleton’s ordinance all the way to the Supreme Court if need be, though he also hopes to be in Congress by the time the court rules—likely some time in 2009.

Barletta speaks at a press conference Monday. (AP Photo)